Fortunately my sister lives in Alexandria, Virginia and is a veteran MCM runner supporter, both her and her husband have provided pre-race carb dinners for racers 10 years running. This year was no exception with a fantastic dinner and much conversation on race tactics as well as viewing plans, where to be, what to avoid and what train to get on. It was a merry bunch and allowed pre-race jitters to melt away.
I followed the pre long run routine I had adopted during training. I set all my clothes out the night before and went to bed early. I actually slept which was a pleasant surprise; I was worried about that. My alarm sounded at 0500 I dressed and headed into the kitchen for my vitamins, a bowl of oat meal and a banana. I had been diligent about hydrating and must have gone to the bathroom 1,000 times over the previous 24hrs. At 0615, I left the house it was 40 degrees. Cool with a light breeze, some would think it was cold, great running weather I thought.
As I approached the Metro Station hundreds of runners bibs attached appeared out of the darkness like zombies in a horror film being drawn toward the start from all points. The loading platform was a buzz of quiet excitement and uncertainty some runners clearly dazed by the early hour others complaining of the chill. Pulling into the station, racers and supporters were everywhere like ants filing towards a potato chip at a picnic. From the depths of the metro tunnel at the Pentagon, we slowly pushed forward not really sure what to expect or where to go when we emerged back into the cool morning air. Droves of racers fell into line all unsure but some how knowing where to go.
Everything was seamless as we moved toward the start corral. I lined up under a large banner that read: anticipated finish time 5:00 to 5:30. Miles and miles of port~o~Jon's lined this area. Racers in different stages of urinary distress danced, hopped or simply ran into the trees for one of many pre-race releases. An MC kept us all aware of the now eminent start, race marshals spoke, music blared ,the quite buzz now a consistent hum as we all awaited start time.
A cannon fired signaling the start of the 35th Marine Corps Marathon and those of us under the 5:00 hr finish time banner just stood there. It took 20 minutes just to cross the start line after the cannon sounded @ 0800. I could not have gone out fast if I wanted to. I had trained for 16 weeks it was time to forget everything else and just run the race.
I honestly can not remember what I was thinking during the race. I wondered when and where I would see my family and hoped it was not to much of a hassle for them to get around. I wondered how fast I would run the first half of the race and I marvelled at all the folks running in honer of a fallen marine, or lost family members. It was Halloween but how could you run in a costume. At the half way point I realized the winners had already crossed the finished line. At Mile 24 I said to my self "You are almost there!" and at the finished I gave my self a double thumbs up and am proud to have a Marine place a finishers medal over my head. I had made it! It was a relief to see my family, hugs never felt so good!
I finished my first marathon in 5:16 minutes (officially) what an experience 35,000 people running together in the streets of DC, through Rosalyn, over Key Bridge, through Georgetown, past the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, the Smithsonian, over the Potomac again, into Crystal City past the Pentagon finishing at the Marine Corps Memorial.
That night after trick or treating with the kids I pondered my next running adventure:
"What would it be?"
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